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Goodbye

Well, that's it. This final Test is very finely poised but South Africa will feel they just about have their noses in front. England, however, will be very confident of making inroads with the new ball in the morning and putting themselves in a winning position. Join us tomorrow to see how it pans out. Until then, goodbye.

Posted at 16:39 22 Jan 201616:39 22 Jan 2016

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Posted at 16:38 22 Jan 201616:38 22 Jan 2016

Who is on top?

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Very definitely South Africa. England's bowling was flat - woeful - this morning and not that much better this afternoon. South Africa made hay bit in the evening."

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"When the new ball was taken I am afraid whatever we tried we were just too short.

"Bavuma looked fantastic - he hits his off drives crisply - and we bowled too short at De Kock. They got 46 off the 10 with new ball so they finished the day in South Africa’s favour."

Posted at 16:34 22 Jan 201616:34 22 Jan 2016

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Greg Russell: Whilst SA team may not be a classic it's not a shocker. De Villiers, Amla, Morkel surely all considered greats. Great series win.

Posted at 16:33 22 Jan 201616:33 22 Jan 2016

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Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"De Villiers is the best in the world but when you first get in got to play yourself in. If you can bowl it in that channel you get people out. Broad got him fiddling outside off stump but we didn’t bowl it there often enough."

Posted at 16:40 22 Jan 201616:40 22 Jan 2016

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Ian Shepherd: Honours even so far. England have responded well.. Need 2 knock em over for 400 or less.

Posted at 16:35 22 Jan 201616:35 22 Jan 2016

'Gorgeous' Cook

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"His footwork was immaculate, absolutely gorgeous. He got right back and what you have to with the short ball is get high and keep it down.

"His shots were nice touch shots. He just played nice cricket and I thought, 'Wow, where has he been?' They have airy fairy opening batsmen in but where has he been? For 90 runs he looked an excellent opening batsmen."

Posted at 16:32 22 Jan 201616:32 22 Jan 2016

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Ian Bradley: Evidence mounting, England have an Anderson shaped hole to fill before the next Ashes series.

Ian Joyce: Why we haven't given others a game is beyond me.

Posted at 16:29 22 Jan 201616:29 22 Jan 2016

'Woakes is a fill-in bowler'

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Woakes does his best but there's a bit missing - he's steady, has got a nice action and moves the ball a little bit. But as a batsman there's nothing to worry about - he's a fill-in. There's a little nip missing to make him a really good Test bowler."

16:28

Player reaction

England batsman Joe Root on Sky Sports: "We weren't quite at our absolute best, but I thought the way we applied ourselves in the last two hours was a great effort. I wouldn't say we lacked intensity, but sometimes you can have a bad day.

"South Africa played well, but when you get behind the game, the important thing is how you react and we reacted well. James Taylor is a freak and if he keeps taking them like that he'll get a reputation as the best in the world."

Posted at 16:23 22 Jan 201616:23 22 Jan 2016

'Ordinary' Anderson

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Jimmy Anderson looked very ordinary. He had no pace, no nip. I don’t think he needs a break; he needs lots of bowling. He looks so rusty and unfortunately he gave that impression with body language."

16:22

Player reaction

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Stephen Cook, who made 115 on his South Africa debut, on Sky Sports: "I didn't feel too much different this morning - I was relatively calm. I'm a fairly level-headed guy. But there was an extra twinkle."

"There were a couple of nervous moments in the 90s. There was a referral on 98 - I have never been so nervous in my life. I though, 'I've waited for so long to be here, but if I had to wait for another hour so, I'll do that'."

On his century: "There wasn't a lot going through my mind. I was really happy to go and make three figures - to finally cross over."

Posted at 16:21 22 Jan 201616:21 22 Jan 2016

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Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"England looked out of the game at tea but they came out after and started to pressurise both batsmen with off-side fields, bowling wider and wider. Stokes and Broad bowled particularly well and make it very difficult for them to score.

"Amla got out through the short stuff. He didn't get right forward to Stokes and he nicked it on to his stumps. Stokes made something happen when they were in difficulty.

"The lad played really well for 90 runs - he looked an excellent opening batsman. The nervous nineties got to him."

16:15

Father reaction

Former South Africa batsman Jimmy Cook, father of Stephen Cook, on Sky Sports: "I couldn't be prouder, he's put in so much dedication and hard work. I was due to go to Dubai but my younger son cancelled my ticket.

"He's stuck to the way he plays and I was pleased to see him go up a level and do well. He couldn't have asked for a better partner than Hashim. I always encouraged to keep persevering.

"I always encouraged him to play overseas but he wanted to stay and play for South Africa. I thought it might never happen for him but he never gave up hope."

16:10

Day one summary

So, a see-sawing first day but South Africa will feel they just about have their noses in front having won the toss and chosen to bat.

The hosts were dominant in the first two sessions, with debutant Stephen Cook and Hashim Amla both posting superb hundreds.

England's bowling was lacklustre, and their fielding was mixed - with James Taylor taking a blinder at short leg to dismiss Dean Elgar but Cook and Amla both missed at slip.

But the tourists fought back in the evening session to reduce South Africa from 237-1 to 273-5, with Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali taking a wicket apiece before De Kock and Bavuma's late cameo.

Posted at 16:14 22 Jan 201616:14 22 Jan 2016

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Ian Bradley: Evidence mounting, England have an Anderson shaped hole to fill before the next Ashes series.

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"A pretty hard day out there for England. Not quite a day of two halves, but for two thirds of the day I thought England were below par."

90 overs

close-of-play

Close of play - SA 329-5

Ben Stokes is given the ball for the last over of the day. But it's South Africa who are finishing this topsy-turvy day with their hand on the tiller, and Bavuma has the final word by square-driving for four. That's stumps.

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"That’s an exquisite shot, he really does play that well. There was a bit of Tendulkar about that."

88 overs

SA 322-5 (Broad 18-1-65-1)

Bavuma keeps the momentum flowing South Africa's way with a brace of fours. The first is brutal, crunched down the ground; the second is pure eye candy: getting his foot to the pitch of the ball and unfurling a velvety drive through the covers. So good-looking you could pin it to a teenager's bedroom wall.

Posted at 15:52 22 Jan 201615:52 22 Jan 2016

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Greg: With the new ball in their hands our bowlers have lost their heads. Poor bowling.

87 overs

SA 313-5 (Bavuma 16, De Kock 25)

De Kock puts the hammer down! The cherubic stroke-maker is getting his ODI groove on. He takes Jimmy Anderson for a trio of fours: punching down the ground, slashing off the back foot and then clobbering a pull over midwicket. This partnership, in no time at all, has accumulated 40.

Posted at 15:46 22 Jan 201615:46 22 Jan 2016

Chigumbura resigns as Zimbabwe captain

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News from elsewhere in the cricket world: Elton Chigumbura has stepped down as Zimbabwe captain in all forms of the game.

The 29-year-old all-rounder has captained Zimbabwe in 62 of his 196 ODIs and 18 of his 41 Twenty20s.

Although he has been Test captain since Brendon Taylor quit internationals after the 2015 World Cup, he has not led the side because Zimbabwe have not played a Test since November 2014.

Chigumbura said: "I still believe I have more years of playing in me and of winning games for the team."

86 overs

SA 299-5

De Kock clips Broad into the leg side for a single. Meanwhile, up on the balcony, Jimmy Cook - father of Stephen - has cracked open the bubbly.

Posted at 15:41 22 Jan 201615:41 22 Jan 2016

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Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"England need another wicket to make it a comparable day. They gave them a 100-plus start before they have clawed it back a bit."

85 overs

SA 297-5 (Anderson 20-4-56-0)

Bavuma pokes through backward square for a couple. The floodlights are on...

Posted at 15:38 22 Jan 201615:38 22 Jan 2016

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84 overs

SA 295-5 (Bavuma 14, De Kock 10)

What do you reckon - are we having that from De Kock? How do you hurt yourself walking the dog exactly? It sounds like one of those excuses you'd make your mum write in a note if you wanted to get out of games. Has anyone from Cricket SA checked what he was up to during the third Test? He's back now though, and announcing himself to Stuart Broad with a crunching pull through the leg side for four.

Posted at 15:33 22 Jan 201615:33 22 Jan 2016

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Mark Boucher

Former South Africa wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special

"Anything under 400 will be a massive disappointment to South Africa. After lunch, England would have said if we could bowl them out for under 400 then we have done a fantastic job."

83 overs

SA 291-5

Quinton de Kock, you may recall, missed the last Test with one of the more bizarre excuses in cricket history - he apparently hurt himself walking the dog. It's just as well Dane Vilas didn't make a hundred in his absence - he might have stubbed his toe kicking the poor mutt. De Kock defends to mid-on for a single.

Posted at 15:32 22 Jan 201615:32 22 Jan 2016

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Charlie Latto: In the space of a day we've gone from being a great team, to having an awful bowling attack, back to being pretty good again.

82 overs

SA 290-5 (Broad 15-1-50-1)

Whoah there, some absolutely prodigious movement from Stuart Broad, wide and De Kock can't resist a dart - he's lucky not to snick as it curves into the hands of first slip. The average first innings total at Centurion, I'm told, is 350, which makes this pretty much a par effort by South Africa so far. Mind you, there's work to do yet to get up to that total.

Posted at 15:23 22 Jan 201615:23 22 Jan 2016

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Mark Boucher

Former South Africa wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special

"It is a big moment for England. If they can nick a couple here, and get them seven down, they can go to bed thinking, 'we can have a big lead here'."

81 overs

new-ball

New ball taken

SA 287-5

Yes, unsurprisingly, the new ball is taken straight away, and entrusted to the craftsmanship of Jimmy Anderson. Plenty of shape for the Lancashire seamer early doors, but Bavuma responds with some geometry of his own, pinging a four straight through point.

Posted at 15:24 22 Jan 201615:24 22 Jan 2016

Taylor's Australian adventure

The wicketkeeper-batter made history in October by becoming the first woman to play Australian first-grade cricket, appearing in two matches for Adelaide's Northern Districts under the captaincy of Australia batsman Mark Cosgrove.

Taylor told BBC Sport: "It was intense, probably one of the best experiences of my life.

"The guys were absolutely brilliant. It was the hardest thing I've done on a cricket field, but equally as rewarding."

Story update

England's Sarah Taylor believes her own game will improve enormously from her experience of playing men's cricket in Australia.

SA 283-5 (Bavuma 9, De Kock 3)

Moeen with what you'd imagine will be the final over with the old ball. The new cherry rests, primed like a red leather grenade, in the hands of the fourth umpire. De Kock works a couple off his hips.

Posted at 15:18 22 Jan 201615:18 22 Jan 2016

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Tom Littlewood: The pendulum is swinging now, all out for 340 would be fantastic for England.

Luke Swales: We need this lot 6 down by close to have any chance of a win.

Jay: SA doing a decent job of trying to emulate India's dramatic collapse from a few days back.

79 overs

SA 281-5

Glorious from Bavuma - yet another four-ball in a very ordinary day from Woakes and it gets the treatment, carved through backward point for four.

Posted at 15:15 22 Jan 201615:15 22 Jan 2016

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Henry Blofeld

BBC Test Match Special

"This game has taken a sea change since the interval."

78 overs

SA 275-5 (Moeen 15-4-49-2)

So, Quinton de Kock comes to the party. He's immediately off the mark, but make no mistake, England have fought their way back to parity in this match, especially with four genuine tail-enders to come. Has that leaky outfield proved a bit of a turning point?

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"Oh dear. It’s a short ball, it may have scuttled a little low. It looked plump from here. Duminy will be devastated."

77.1 overs

wicket

WICKET

Duminy lbw Moeen 16 (SA 273-5)

Rex FeaturesCopyright: Rex Features

Oh JP, what have you done son? Horrible, horrible moment for the newly recalled batsman, desperate to finally stamp his place in this side, as he aims a wild pull at a Moeen delivery that keeps low and hits him right in front of the stumps. The umpire's finger goes up, and this is suddenly looking like an even day.

77 overs

SA 273-4 (Duminy 16, Bavuma 2)

Bavuma gets off the mark with a drive into a gap for two. A bit of a mix-up with the running almost gets him in trouble, but he's OK.

Posted at 15:05 22 Jan 201615:05 22 Jan 2016

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Mark Boucher

Former South Africa wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special

"England have pulled themselves right back into this game. They have managed to bring the run rate down and have picked up three wickets."

76 overs

SA 271-4

A good, tight over from Moeen keeps the pressure on South Africa.

Posted at 15:03 22 Jan 201615:03 22 Jan 2016

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Michael Vaughan

Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"From that first ball, when he got a leg stump half volley from Jimmy Anderson, Cook just looked like he knew his game."

75 overs

SA 271-4

Temba Bavuma is the new man and all of a sudden England are right in this Test match. New ball, De Kock the next man, one wicket away from the tail after that.

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"It doesn't matter how you get them but somehow, from the middle of nowhere, Woakes has a wicket without anything special."

74.5 overs

wicket

WICKET

Cook b Woakes 115 (SA 271-4)

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Gone! Stephen Cook's brilliant innings is finally over, Woakes offering a tempter outside off and the opener has a flash and gets an inside edge onto the timbers. He looks absolutely gutted for a man who has just made a hundred on Test debut - a sign of a man with serious appetite for big runs. Big wicket for Woakes, who has bowled poorly today but will be geed by that scalp.

Posted at 14:56 22 Jan 201614:56 22 Jan 2016

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74 overs

SA 269-3

Another freebie from Moeen - dragged down and begging to be hit. Duminy - who has been given a bit of a jump start by England - obliges by pasting it through midwicket.

Posted at 14:54 22 Jan 201614:54 22 Jan 2016

BBC Archive: Apartheid and sporting boycotts

BBCCopyright: BBC

Apartheid in South Africa was one of the most contentious issues of the 20th century.

So when South Africa-born Basil D'Oliveira - banned from playing for the Proteas because of the colour of his skin - was named in England's squad to tour his native country in 1968, cricket crossed the sporting boundary into the political sphere.

England's tour to South Africa was cancelled as the ruling National Party refused to accept D'Oliveira's presence in the England squad.

The incident culminated in a ban on sporting ties with South Africa that would last for years.

SA 264-3 (Anderson 17-4-49-0)

Streaky from Cook, outside-edged past Joe Root at gully for four. Anderson has got the double-teapot on, but he has only himself to blame for the next boundary, on Duminy's pads and flicked away for four.

Posted at 14:50 22 Jan 201614:50 22 Jan 2016

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Simon Mann

BBC Test Match Special

"That was absolutely horrendous - a horrible waist-high full toss. It just slipped out of Moeen’s hand."

Posted at 14:52 22 Jan 201614:52 22 Jan 2016

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Michael Vaughan

Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"Duminy has got a real problem against off-spin."

72 overs

SA 255-3 (Cook 107, Duminy 8)

Change-up after drinks - Moeen Ali to bowl to some off-spin, and his first ball is an absolute doozy: bit of drift in, and sharp turn past the outside edge of Duminy. Still, as seasoned observers of Moeen will know, as sure as night follows day, a bad ball will follow his good one. Sure enough, a rank beamer slips out of the hand and is dispatched to the boundary by Duminy.

Posted at 14:46 22 Jan 201614:46 22 Jan 2016

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Michael Vaughan

Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"The pitch might get a bit quicker tomorrow. That is why South Africa have to make it count - they need to get 400 on here."

71 overs

drinks-break

Drinks break

SA 251-3

Is it just me, or when commentators talk about bowlers 'slipping themselves', does anyone else think they've done themselves an injury? Sounds painful to me. Anyway, Anderson sends down a maiden to Cook, and it's time for drinks.

Posted at 14:45 22 Jan 201614:45 22 Jan 2016

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Michael Vaughan

Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

"South Africa have got to be positive and make sure the scoreboard keeps ticking on. If you add two wickets to the score now, it is a good turnaround from where it was."

70 overs

SA 251-3

Duminy - who is coming off an unbeaten 260 in South African first-class cricket - gets off the mark with a bash through the covers for four.

Posted at 14:39 22 Jan 201614:39 22 Jan 2016

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Michael Vaughan

Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"They have just bowled better areas in the session. They have been more consistent and they have bowled into the surface. Broad has been the stand-out."

69 overs

SA 247-3

Cook blocks out a maiden to Anderson.

Posted at 14:47 22 Jan 201614:47 22 Jan 2016

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Simon Mann

BBC Test Match Special

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

"Cook has looked the part today, he really has."

68 overs

SA 247-3 (Cook 107, Duminy 0)

It would be fair to say that getting a debut hundred isn't exactly a guarantee of future success. Adrian Barath, Hamish Rutherford and Stiaan van Zyl are some of the less illustrious recent names on the list. But Cook really has looked the real deal. He punches one through the covers, Duminy remains stuck on nought.

Posted at 14:29 22 Jan 201614:29 22 Jan 2016

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Karl Reynolds: Surely I'm not the only one that noticed it's a century of debut century makers and it's come at Centurion?

Good spot Karl!

Posted at 14:28 22 Jan 201614:28 22 Jan 2016

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67 overs

SA 246-3

Cook, now loosened up, flays a four through midwicket on the pull. Meanwhile, up the other end, the new man is JP Duminy, who is back in the side after being dropped mid-series and then making a double ton for his franchise side. He blocks out his first two balls.

Posted at 14:24 22 Jan 201614:24 22 Jan 2016

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Posted at 14:24 22 Jan 201614:24 22 Jan 2016

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66 overs

SA 241-3

So, Stephen Cook becomes the 100th man to score a hundred on Test debut, and the fourth-oldest. Brilliant achievement. Could he enjoy a Chris Rogers-style Indian summer in the Test side? We shall see.

Posted at 14:23 22 Jan 201614:23 22 Jan 2016

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Posted at 14:23 22 Jan 201614:23 22 Jan 2016

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Henry Blofeld

BBC Test Match Special

"A tremendous effort. The pressure that was on him at the end. Well, well, well what can you say? Well Done Stephen Cook."

Posted at 14:22 22 Jan 201614:22 22 Jan 2016

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Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"That was splendid. He played beautifully up to 90 then it was agonising. It just shows that so much of the game is in the head."

65.5 overs

sport-100

100 for Cook

SA 240-3

Rex FeaturesCopyright: Rex Features

He's done it! What a great moment for Stephen Cook, an hour in the 90s but finally the 33-year-old who thought his chance would never come gets one on his pads and glances it into the leg side for two. The boyhood dream is finally realised.

Lovely scenes in the stands as three generations of the Cook family - father Jimmy, and Stephen's wife and daughter - join in the rapturous applause. Well played sir.

65.2 overs

SA 238-3

Oooh, he's just got away with it. The Yorkshire Oracle was right, umpire's call on leg stump. Jimmy Cook is twirling that moustache with the tension of it all...

Posted at 14:17 22 Jan 201614:17 22 Jan 2016

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Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I think it's going to be hitting part of the stump. He'll get away with it."

65.2 overs

umpire-review

Umpire review

Has Stokes got another one? Big appeal for LBW against Cook, turned down on the field, but England want another look...

Posted at 14:29 22 Jan 201614:29 22 Jan 2016

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Henry Blofeld

BBC Test Match Special

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

"AB de Villiers is walking off briskly like someone who knows he has got to walk the plank."

65 overs

wicket

WICKET

De Villiers c Root b Broad 0 (SA 238-3)

APCopyright: AP

And another! Get one, get two, they always say, and that maxim holds true for England. Bouncy outside off stump from Broad, AB can't resist a fidget at it, and he ends up fending a sharp catch to a flying Joe Root at second slip. England back in the game!

Posted at 14:10 22 Jan 201614:10 22 Jan 2016

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Henry Blofeld

BBC Test Match Special

"What a formidable achievement from a really great batsman."

64 overs

SA 237-2

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Still, it was an absolutely superb innings from Amla - full of his trademark gossamer-wristed cover drives. He is now the leading run-scorer in this series, just ahead of the man who dismissed him. AB de Villiers the new man.

Posted at 14:30 22 Jan 201614:30 22 Jan 2016

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Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

"Stokes earned that wicket. He bowled sharp and a lot of short balls at both batsmen. They have had to stay back and not push forward. That was a good length; he has not got out of the crease."

63.5 overs

wicket

WICKET

Amla b Stokes 109 (SA 237-2)

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

What do we always say about Ben Stokes? He makes things happen. Case in point here: England looking flat as a pancake, and suddenly the strawberry-blond talisman breaks through with a good delivery which clatters the stumps via Hashim Amla's inside edge. Breakthrough.

Posted at 14:02 22 Jan 201614:02 22 Jan 2016

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Posted at 14:02 22 Jan 201614:02 22 Jan 2016

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Francis Edwards: Big weakness for England, cannot bowl when it's not swinging and cannot bowl on spinning pitches. Major concern for future.

63 overs

SA 236-1 (Cook 96, Amla 109)

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Hashim Amla is flowing like a burst water main at the moment. He's in full torrent. Stuart Broad serves one up outside off stump and he flays it through the covers for a four that brings up the 200 partnership. What a superb stand it's been from these two.

62 overs

SA 232-1

Right, the Bridezilla. So I was having lunch and the woman sitting at the table next to me was obviously on some sort of pre-wedding reconnaissance outing with a couple of friends.

"I never thought I'd be one of those nightmare brides," she said.

"But ultimately, this is a project and I'm the co-ordinator. Someone's got to make sure stuff gets done." Except she didn't say stuff.

Test cricket: apparently not the only activity that demands all-white dress and military precision.

Posted at 13:58 22 Jan 201613:58 22 Jan 2016

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Henry Blofeld

BBC Test Match Special

"Umpires send everything upstairs these days. That is the one problem with the DRS system."

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"They are making him work pretty hard but he is a patient guy. He knows his game well, he will be prepared to wait a long time for his first Test hundred."

61 overs

SA 228-1 (Broad 11-1-37-0)

Cook, inching his way towards the target, retains the strike with a dropped single into the leg side. You'd imagine he'll be thinking of getting there in ones at the moment. But who knows? After all, this is the universe where Nick Compton got out trying to win a match with a six. All things are possible.

Posted at 13:51 22 Jan 201613:51 22 Jan 2016

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Mark Boucher

Former South Africa wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special

"This could be an interesting session. South Africa at the moment are in a dominant position. The rate is just over four an over. Maybe there is an opportunity for these two to press on a bit."

Posted at 13:51 22 Jan 201613:51 22 Jan 2016

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Nervous 90s

tms@bbc.co.uk

Email Message: Stephen Cook is in the nervous 90s. Let us console ourselves that he was once out for 390 in a first-class match – so there is a possibility of four phases of nervous 90s.

from Paul Hannaford

Stephen Cook is in the nervous 90s. Let us console ourselves that he was once out for 390 in a first-class match – so there is a possibility of four phases of nervous 90s.

Paul Hannaford

60 overs

SA 225-1 (Cook 92, Amla 102)

Oooh, heart-in-mouth moment for Stephen Cook. He pokes to cover and sets off for a very sharp single. Broad whizzes a throw past the timbers and Cook's rueful smile tells you he was well short if that had hit.

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"An irrigation pipe has burst. There's various men out there in big boots out there. What a shame Andy Caddick isn't playing, he could turn his hand to anything. We need a plumber."

Posted at 13:34 22 Jan 201613:34 22 Jan 2016

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Mark Boucher

Former South Africa wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special

"It's a strange one. We badly need water in this country, yet we've got water on the field."

13:32

Burst pipe alert

Disappointingly, we don't have a specialist graphic for this. But yes, incredibly, it appears that some sort of pipe has burst beneath the playing surface and brownish water is now oozing onto the outfield.

And the players are now going back off! Scenes. What a way for Stephen Cook's march to a debut Test century to be halted...

13:30

Post update

Thanks Stephan. I'm not getting married, I hasten to add. Just a little anecdote for you. But before that...

13:28

Post update

James Gheerbrant's pre-evening session sprint to the chair beside me is becoming something of a live text tradition. He's here to talk you through the rest of the day, possibly with some chat of a Bridezilla. Enjoy.

Posted at 13:26 22 Jan 201613:26 22 Jan 2016

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Posted at 13:22 22 Jan 201613:22 22 Jan 2016

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Jonathan Shields: Woakes and Co cafeteria now open.....please help yourselves...

Posted at 13:55 22 Jan 201613:55 22 Jan 2016

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Michael Vaughan

Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

"England have given them a 220-run lead. Can they fight back and win? If they can't win, can they fight back to draw like South Africa did at Cape Town? There's a lot to play for some of these players."

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BBC Test Match Special

To remind you, Test Match Special will be talking to Ian Bell during the tea break. Bell was appointed Warwickshire captain yesterday, but he insists he still wants to return to the England team. Have a listen.

Posted at 13:12 22 Jan 201613:12 22 Jan 2016

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Michael Vaughan

Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"England tried to bowl the golden ball all morning instead of bowling with patience. There have been dropped chances and a few fumbles in the field..."

Posted at 13:11 22 Jan 201613:11 22 Jan 2016

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Simon Mann

BBC Test Match Special

"Another session won emphatically by South Africa."

13:11

interval

Tea - SA 224-1

That's the break. Ben Stokes pounds the whole of the last over into the deck, with Amla happy to get out of the way. At tea, South Africa are bossing proceedings. England have been pretty woeful.

Posted at 13:08 22 Jan 201613:08 22 Jan 2016

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Richard J Law: The England bowlers are bowling at SA almost like the result of this match doesn't matter. Oh wait...

13:07

SA 223-1

A slight victory for England - South Africa's run-rate has dipped below four an over. A touch of spin before the break, with Moeen accurate enough to probably prevent Cook from reaching three figures before tea. Maybe only one over before the players head for a brew and a biscuit.

Posted at 13:06 22 Jan 201613:06 22 Jan 2016

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13:05

SA 221-1 (Stokes 10-1-36-0)

I didn't spot it myself, but I'm told that James Anderson has been warned for running on the pitch. He was taken out of the attack for just that offence in Johannesburg. Ben Stokes comes on for Anderson, now with just one slip in place. A few bumpers, Amla ducking and swaying to get out of the way.

Posted at 13:01 22 Jan 201613:01 22 Jan 2016

How's stat?!

Andrew Samson

BBC Test Match Special statistician

"It's Amla's fourth-quickest hundred, his fifth at Centurion and his sixth against England."

54 overs

SA 221-1 (Amla 101, Cook 89)

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Just remember, though, Hashim Amla was dropped on five. England's bowling has been pretty poor, but how much of a boost might that wicket have given them? The same goes for the life given to Stephen Cook. Speaking of Cook, attention now turns to his hunt for a ton on debut. Will he get there before tea? There's about 10 minutes before the break.

Posted at 12:56 22 Jan 201612:56 22 Jan 2016

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Simon Mann

BBC Test Match Special

"Amla has batted so fluently. It's been a controlled innings, yet aggressive."

12:54

sport-100

100 for Hashim Amla

SA 221-1

APCopyright: AP

What a fantastic innings from Hashim Amla, who has been released from the shackles of the captaincy and is batting beautifully. A feature has been the cover drives - wonderful stroke after wonderful stroke. So easy on the eye. He brings up a 25th Test ton with a single to mid-on, giving Centurion the excuse to erupt.

Posted at 12:56 22 Jan 201612:56 22 Jan 2016

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Michael Vaughan

Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

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"The bowling has been very very average. Only one spell by Stuart Broad has been any good."

12:51

SA 218-1 (Amla 99, Cook 88)

As the Barmies sing, England are just about managing to string together a couple of quiet overs. Hang on, I spoke too soon. Too short from Woakes, Stephen Cook on it in a flash to pull through mid-on for four. Alastair Cook once again puts his head in hands. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that we could be witnessing the end of Chris Woakes' Test career here.

Posted at 12:48 22 Jan 201612:48 22 Jan 2016

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Bhavin Shah: Broad gets the plaudits for Jo'burg but you can see that England really miss Finn. Need that hit the deck express bowler.

Ellis: Shame no Footitt, variety in the attack very important in shorter formats, soon Tests? England caught behind a trend again?

52 overs

SA 213-1

Amla is made to wait. Or rather, he chooses to wait as he's not drawn into the Anderson game of cat and mouse. A maiden.

12:46

SA 213-1

Real test of wills here. Amla on 99, Anderson bowling so far outside off stump that he'd need a broom to reach it. Three leaves.

Posted at 12:44 22 Jan 201612:44 22 Jan 2016

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Interesting you should say that, Rob. Woakes has seven wickets in six Tests at an average heading towards 60. Jordan has 31 in eight Tests at an average of 36.

12:43

SA 213-1

The DJ plays Stayin' Alive. Aimed at England?

Posted at 12:43 22 Jan 201612:43 22 Jan 2016

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12:42

SA 213-1 (Cook 83, Amla 99)

Amla gets a bit flirty with a single that suggests a loopy catch to mid-on, only to fall short. Woakes is the bowler, all side-parting and frustration. In the stands, the trumpeter has been playing non-stop for some time now. No sign of being out of puff. Woakes manages to get the ball outside off stump, with Cook leaving alone. Amla to face on 99...

Posted at 12:39 22 Jan 201612:39 22 Jan 2016

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Mark Boucher

Former South Africa wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special

"England have got to try and pull the run rate back, even if they're not taking wickets, just to create some pressure."

12:38

SA 212-1 (Cook 83, Amla 98)

Even when the England plan works, South Africa are the ones to benefit. Anderson drags Cook into a drive outside the off stump, but the batsman's feet are nowhere. He gets an inside edge, but the ball scoots past the diving Jonny Bairstow for four. Amla, meanwhile, moves to 98.

Posted at 12:36 22 Jan 201612:36 22 Jan 2016

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Mark Boucher

Former South Africa wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special

"Alastair Cook is setting a field on the off side, saying to the bowler 'Bowl outside off stump for me', and the boundaries are coming on the leg side. It's very frustrating for a captain and at this rate England could be staring at 340 in a day."

12:34

SA 204-1 (Woakes 10-1-59-0)

England pack the off side once more, but Woakes struggles with both the line and length. Ooooffff, a chance, but from another bad ball. Banged in, Amla hooks and cue-ends, almost to gully. Woakes ends the over with a leg-stump half-volley that Amla whips for four. There are seven men on the off side, two on the leg and Woakes bowls on the pads. No wonder Cook has his head in his hands. Village.

Posted at 12:31 22 Jan 201612:31 22 Jan 2016

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Rob Hastings: Woakes is a classic example of a good quality county pro but one who's simply not good enough at the very highest level. Some make the transition seamlessly like Root whilst others have opportunities that they're not good enough to take.

12:30

SA 197-1

This an almighty mother's meeting between the England team. Five of them - Cook, Root, Broad, Anderson and Woakes, who he been entrusted with the ball once more. So far, he's bowled nine over 0-52.

Posted at 12:29 22 Jan 201612:29 22 Jan 2016

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12:28

SA 197-1 (Amla 91, Cook 75)

Bizarrely, there's a hospitality box at the ground that is being served by what can only be described as buff waiters. These chaps aren't wearing shirts, just waistcoats and bow ties.I'm told it's ladies' day at Centurion. Do ladies want buff men in only waistcoats? The sun pops out as Anderson explores the channel. Just a single from it.

Posted at 12:25 22 Jan 201612:25 22 Jan 2016

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"If you're going to see one cricket shot this year, make it that Hashim Amla cover-drive. The weight, the timing, it was just an absolutely beautiful shot. That's a little highlight of the series for me."

47 overs

SA 196-1 (Amla 91 from 113)

APCopyright: AP

There's some buffet being served up now, this time in the shape of a Moeen full toss that Amla skims down the ground for four. It's hard to overstate just how easy batting looks at the moment. To prove the point, Amla laces yet another cover drive for four. The former skipper has now scored 51 runs through the covers. 51!

Posted at 12:24 22 Jan 201612:24 22 Jan 2016

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12:21

SA 188-1

James Anderson's familiar run-up kicks in to Amla, who is batting with the calm of a Zen master. No swing for Jimmy, no real inspiration from England. It's the Ashes at The Oval all over again.

Posted at 12:18 22 Jan 201612:18 22 Jan 2016

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Mark Boucher

Former South Africa wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special

"It's the first time in this series I've watched England bowl and thought they don't seem to be bowling to a plan."

45 overs

SA 187-1 (Cook 74, Amla 82)

Moeen after the break, but his beard looks to have fewer answers than Amla's. The former skipper has bullets in his bat, leaning in to a cover drive that scorches the turf despite Amla barely moving his bat.

12:14

Pietersen leads Stars to Big Bash final

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Meanwhile in Australia, Kevin Pietersen has blasted 62 off 36 balls to Melbourne Stars into the Big Bash final.

KP hit five fours and two sixes in his innings as the Stars made light work of overhauling the Perth Scorchers' score of 139.

The Stars - who also have former England batsman Luke Wright in the team - will play the Sydney Thunder in Sunday's final.

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David: Why do England persist with Chris Woakes? Never shown any ability to be a Test bowler.

Mark: Would have preferred to see what Footitt could do in this game, we know what Woakes offers....sadly not a lot.

Craig Moore: I thought everyone had already agreed Chris Woakes wasn't up to international standard? Surely Foottitt needed a go.

12:11

drinks-break

Drinks break

SA 181-1

James Anderson, not quite the Jimmy we're used to, is back. He and Alastair Cook have whipped up a plan for Amla, who has been intent of playing come cover drives. There are now two catchers on the off side. A 7-2 off-side field in total, so Anderson can't quite attack the stumps. A quiet over before drinks.

Posted at 12:09 22 Jan 201612:09 22 Jan 2016

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Neil Manthorp

BBC Test Match Special

"This pitch now looks incredibly benign, especially to the short ball."

12:07

SA 180-1 (run-rate 4.19)

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Tap, tap, lift, lift, shuffle, shuffle. Stephen Cook nudges anything remotely straight on the leg side. Whilst Cook accumulates, Amla is a highlight reel. This time he's snapping into a pull shot that rockets into the boundary. Ben Stokes, the bowler, might combust. You could fry an egg on his forehead.

42 overs

SA 175-1 (Cook 71, Amla 73)

Hashim Amla has wrists of rubber. When Moeen is on the pads, Amla flicks it through mid-wicket in a whir of willow. He really does look in imperious touch. England have given him one life, remember. Could be very, very costly.

Posted at 12:01 22 Jan 201612:01 22 Jan 2016

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Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"England are trying hard, but it's comfortable for the batsmen now. Stokes is the only one who's finding any swing through the air. You've got to get them early in these conditions."

12:00

SA 171-1

The first sound of the trumpeter today, our musician arriving with the Great Escape. England might yet need one of those. Stokes slips in with the traffic of Centurion off in the distance. Twice Stokes goes full and leggy who be worked by Cook, who gets the glare of the Durham man. Don't get angry, Ben. Get even.

Posted at 11:57 22 Jan 201611:57 22 Jan 2016

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Ben in Southampton: Spent last night praying that Cook would get some runs in this test, but forget to let God know that I was talking about Alastair. Feeling guilty now.

40 overs

162-1 (last 10 overs 54-0)

Moeen has been flirting with bowling round the wicket, but is over to Cook. Back round to Amla, possibly to stop him from shuffling across and using the spin. There's a degree of control from Moeen, but singles are on offer.

Posted at 11:54 22 Jan 201611:54 22 Jan 2016

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Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"You can't see where a wicket is coming from. The bowlers can't do much with the ball. It's going to take a lot of character, quite a bit of discipline, bowling outside off stump."

11:53

SA 158-1 (Cook 66, Amla 61)

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Stokes, a grimace through his ginger stubble, is getting the ball to swing, but it's too wide to tempt Cook to play. On the England bench, Steven Finn wears the shades of a man now on holiday. Cook, a heavy bat-tapping shuffler, jams down on one to get a single through square leg.

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Harry Mills: How about Hurricane Hamish? Story of a West Indian fast bowler found washed up on the beach in an MCC towel and plays barefoot.

11:49

SA 157-1 (run-rate 4.13)

Spin, the return of Moeen Ali, England's only successful bowler today. Gloomy, but not chilly. No players in sweaters, spectators happy to bare some flesh. Amla is a man looking to cover drive anything that comes his way - blades flashing. Moeen is tighter, though. Two from it.

Posted at 12:05 22 Jan 201612:05 22 Jan 2016

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Simon Goodall: Problem is that 150 will keep Bairstow in the team for the foreseeable future. He's not that great a keeper.

Usman: Why does Bairstow always move to the left when the ball is pitched a foot outside off stump and edges go to the right?

37 overs

SA 155-1 (Cook 65, Amla 59)

Chris Woakes, an economy rate of almost six an over, is withdrawn in favour of Ben Stokes, who himself serves up another half-volley for Cook to square drive for four. England desperately need something, anything. If it was football, they'd be begging for a goal off someone's backside.

Posted at 11:43 22 Jan 201611:43 22 Jan 2016

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Henry Blofeld

BBC Test Match Special

"It's clanger after clanger from Jonny Bairstow. He's making his brilliant scores lose some of their shine."

11:42

SA 151-1 (Cook 61, Amla 59)

England, being the astute professional cricketers than they are, have figured out that Stephen Cook likes the leg side. He's scored two third of his runs there. They post two catchers. However, that doesn't mean they should feed him. Any chance of some off-stump channel? When Broad fires one down past the hip of Amla, Bairstow appeals. Probably just celebrating not dropping it.

Posted at 11:39 22 Jan 201611:39 22 Jan 2016

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Michael Vaughan

Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"England have just got to try and bowl some dots. The rate is up at 4.2 and they've got to try and get it down. The way Woakes is bowling, he won't get a run in the side."

35 overs

SA 148-1 (partnership 113)

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Lots and lots going on here, more plotlines than an episode of 24. England seem to have a hangover, South Africa are resurgent. The Proteas have a number three batting beautifully after being freed from the captaincy and an opener making the most of a long overdue pitch. Stuart Broad still looks in a purple patch, James Anderson underdone and Chris Woakes not up to it. Meanwhile, off the pitch, I've discovered just how well-loved the Glory Gardens series was. A good day.

Posted at 11:34 22 Jan 201611:34 22 Jan 2016

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Andrew Samson

BBC Test Match Special statistician

"Hashim Amla likes batting at Centurion. He now has 995 runs at this ground at an average of 90.45, with four hundreds and five fifties."

11:32

sport-50

50 for Hashim Amla

SA 142-1

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Oh, Hashim Amla. That is a seductive way to go to a half-century. Perfect cover drive, melted chocolate dripping off a spoon. And again! Someone tell Chris Woakes to stop bowling half-volleys. Amla is feeling it, Cook is making up for lost time and England are all over the shop.

Posted at 11:31 22 Jan 201611:31 22 Jan 2016

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Andrew Samson

BBC Test Match Special statistician

"Cook is the third South African opener since readmission to make a fifty on debut. The others were Andrew Hudson and Alviro Petersen, and they both went on to make hundreds."

Posted at 11:30 22 Jan 201611:30 22 Jan 2016

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Michael Vaughan

Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"What a way to bring up his 50, caressing the number one bowler in the world through the covers. Stephen Cook looks like his game is suited to batting long periods of time, which is handy for Test matches. Anyone who watched his body language over the two hours of the morning session would have thought he'd played 50 Tests."

11:28

sport-50

50 for Stephen Cook

SA 132-1

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Well batted, Stephen Cook. A half-century on Test debut for a man who has waited a long time for his chance. The 33-year-old had made a stack of first-class runs and now, given his chance, he looks like he's been playing Test cricket for years. He's scored a lot of runs on the leg side, but reaches 50 with a cover drive off Woakes and follows up with four more to third man.